Ref ID:	23761
Ref Type:	Book Section
Authors:	Martin, Robert D.
Title:	Problems with the tiny brain of the Flores hominid
Date:	2007
Source:	Recent Advances on Southeast Asian Paleoanthropology and Archaeology: Proceedings International Seminar on Southeast Asian Paleoanthropology
Place of Publication:	Yogyakarta
Publisher:	Laboratory of Bioanthropology and Palaeoanthropology, Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University
Notes:	Held July 23-25, 2007, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Abstract:	<p>Although published specimens attributed to 9 different individuals generally indicate a notable small body size for the putative new hominid species "<i>Homo floresiensis</i>", the cranium (and hence cranial capacity) is known only for the LB1 skeleton. There is no factual support for any suggestion that other individuals would have had a tiny brain size comparable to that of LB1. The cranial capacity of H" 400 cc recorded for the LB1 skull is smaller than in any other known hominid younger than 3 million years old and falls within the range for chimpanzees. The tiny brain size of LB1 is quite aberrant in a hominid that is only 18,000 years old and cannot convincingly be explained as a result of insular dwarfism affecting any known <i>Homo</i> species. The concept of insular dwarfism in mammals is reviewed to show that the proposed dramatic degree of reduction in the Flores hominid is unparalleled. The question of brain shape is LB1 is also addressed. The most likely explanation for the unusually small brain size of LB1 is that it resulted from some kind of pathology, such as primary microcephaly.</p>
Date Created:	4/7/2008
Editors:	Indriati, Etty
Page Start:	9
Page End:	23